February 23, 2007

dark.cash v1.0

A WordPress Theme

Table of Contents

1. Before You Install

If you find any bugs, quirks or other oddities, please let me know by posting on the dark.cash page within my website. Also, feel free to let me know what you think of the theme and if you have any suggestions on how I can improve it; I obviously cannot test every configuration, so if you encounter any problems, please do not hesitate to let me know.

I welcome and encourage constructive feedback on design, code, accessibility, etc.

2. Installing The Theme

There are no special requirements to installing this theme; it will work "right out of the box".

Simply install the entire contents into your themes directory and select it in the presentation menu within the WordPress control panel. For more help, refer to the Using Themes section on the WordPress web site.

3. Customization

With v1.0 I have implemented a configuration panel that can handle many of the changes that I found people were making with earlier versions. This panel can be accessed by going to the Presentation menu (the same place where you switch themes) within the administration area and selecting dark.cash from the secondary menu.

The configuration panel is fairly intuitive, but I will provide a small description of each option:

3a. Theme Colour

This option allows you to change the default colours of the headers and links throughout the site; simply edit the hex colour in the input box. A hex generator can be found here.

While you are obviously able to choose any colour you want, here are a few suggestions that I feel might work well with dark.cash:

default: #2c97a2

3b. Font Type

If you require special characters within the headline for other languages, etc. simply choose Special from the available options. If this still does not provide the special characters that you require, feel free to e-mail me and I can work with you to get the right characters for your particular needs.

default: Normal

3c. Headline Case

This option will allow you to change the case of the fonts used in the post and menu headlines.

default: Upper

3d. Post Author

This option allows you to display or not display the author of the post.

default: Off

3e. Categories vs. Tags

The theme was designed using the word "Tags" instead of the default "Categories"; if you prefer "categories" over "tags" choose Categories from the available options.

default: Tags

3f. Vertical Menu Line

There is a vertical line between the menu column and the content column; this option will allow you to turn it on and off.

default: On

3g. RSS Links in Footer

If you wish to turn the RSS links off in the footer, simply choose Off from the available options.

default: On

3h. Logo/Title

This option will allow you to switch between using an image or the blog title/description as your "logo". If you wish to use your own image as the logo overwrite the logo.png file within the /assets/images directory and ensure that Image is selected from the available options.

default: Image

3i. Logo Reflection

This option will allow you to turn the reflection on and off on the logo; please note that the reflection will not work on the blog title or description; it will only work on an image.

default: On

3j. Reflection Height

This option determines the height of the reflection on the logo; the value must be between 1-100.

default: 40

3k. Reflection Opacity

This option determines the opacity of the reflection on the logo; the value must be between 1-100.

default: 35

3l. E-Mail Icon

If you wish to turn on the e-mail icon within the header, simply choose On from the available options.

default: Off

3m. E-mail Address

If you have turned on the e-mail icon, enter the e-mail address that you would like use with the icon.

default: blank

4. Widgets

Widgets are now supported with v1.0. Automatic can provide all the help you will need to get you started using Widgets.

5. Plugins

5a. flickrRSS

I really like the flickrRSS plugin made by Eightface as it is very easy to install, configure, and it's not flashy and in-your-face. For this reason I have added built in support within the dark.cash theme.

To use the plugin:

  1. Download, install and activate the plugin according to the directions
  2. Enter your credentials and setting into the flickrRSS options page within the WordPress control panel (an even number of photos will look best)
  3. Ensure that square is selected as the display option within the flickrRSS options page
  4. There is no need to edit any other code; the theme will detect flickrRSS and act accordingly

6. Contact Info

If you have any questions, problems or comments please feel free to contact me:

7. Credits

8. License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.5 License.
Creative Commons License

Please let others enjoy my themes by leaving the link to my web site in the footer.

9. Version History

v1.00
(February 23/2007 )
» Theme has been widgetized
» Added a configuration menu with various options
» Fixed a bug with smileys that were contained within posts
» Changed colour in input forms from white to a dark grey
» Added a page template that allows for comments
» Fixed a display issue with sIFR
» Changed the look of comments
» Slightly altered the look of blockquotes
» Other minor bugs fixed up
» Changed license from The GNU General Public License to a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.5 License

v0.80
(September 4/2006 )
» Fixed link on printer icon to not take you directly to the homepage when clicked (thanks TwoMotifs)
» Added instructions and assets to change "Tags" to "Categories"
» Slightly altered directory structure
» Enhanced readme.htm to include more explanation and detail

v0.70
(August 22/2006 )
» Initial release